The grants are awarded to community-based organizations across the United States with dedicated programs that equip youth with the tools they need to live healthy, balanced and active lifestyles.

The Champions for Healthy Kids initiative, now in its ninth year, provides 50 grants of $10,000 each to nonprofits, schools and community organizations to develop creative ways to help kids of all ages incorporate physical fitness and good nutrition into their daily lives.

In total, the Champions for Healthy Kids initiative has awarded more than $20 million in grants to organizations across the country through its annual grant program and through other youth nutrition and fitness programs serving over five million children nationwide.

The Champions for Healthy Kids initiative is a collaboration of the General Mills Foundation, the American Dietetic Association Foundation, and the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition.

Our biggest priority, through our work with the General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids initiative, is the health of our nation’s children,” says Judith L. Dodd, registered dietitian and chair of the American Dietetic Association Foundation. “This is a complex issue that requires the combined effort of families, schools, communities, corporations and health professionals such as registered dietitians to address the issue. By working together we can make a difference.”

"General Mills is committed to supporting community efforts that raise awareness for the importance of increased physical activity and good nutrition among youth,” says Ellen Goldberg Luger, executive director of the General Mills Foundation. “We believe these programs provide a great foundation to help youth and their families enjoy the long-lasting benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Champions for Healthy Kids continues to support programs that reach out to children from diverse racial, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. For example:

Alabama Cooperative Extension First Years Count; Auburn, Ala.The Alabama Cooperative Extension’s First Years Count program helps parents make healthy eating and physical activity part of their daily family life. Parents strengthen their knowledge of nutrition, learn the importance of physically active lifestyles, and gain insight into positive parenting techniques. Families learn how to grow and prepare foods that are healthy and tasty. The program reaches out to those living with limited finances to help them find affordable ways to strengthen their healthy eating and physical activity habits.

Green Team Healthy Eating & Active Living; Denver, Colo.The Groundwork Denver Green Team consists of 10 youth ages 14 to 18 who serve as ambassadors for healthy eating and active living in Denver's low-income communities. The youth have chosen to focus on biking and gardening as solutions to several issues in their community including access to fresh food and a safe place for physical activity. Ambassadors will engage other youth and the community in healthy eating through food and nutrition activities at community gardens. Youth ambassadors will also engage the community in bicycling by hosting biking events and bike repair workshops.

Learn It, Grow It, Eat It; New York, N.Y. Learn It, Grow It, Eat It is a year-round health, nutrition, and environmental program that empowers 200 teens in the South Bronx to take control of their health. The program engages youth in vegetable gardening, youth-led community outreach, and a weekly farm-stand. Teens learn to see the link between personal health, healthy eating, and the environment. The project is an opportunity to prevent diet-related diseases and provide youth with basic cooking and meal planning skills.

About The American Dietetic Association The American Dietetic Association Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Dietetic Association, is a 501(c) (3) charity devoted exclusively to nutrition and dietetics. The Foundation funds scholarships and awards, education and research projects, and ADA strategic initiatives that promote optimal nutrition, health and well-being. It is the largest provider of scholarships and awards in the field of dietetics.

About the General Mills Foundation The mission of the General Mills Foundation, celebrating 56 years of giving, is to nourish communities. In fiscal 2010, General Mills awarded more than $100 million to communities across the country. Of the total, the Foundation contributed $22 million in grants in the targeted areas of hunger and nutrition wellness, and K-12 education. In addition, 82 percent of U.S. employees volunteer in the communities where they live and work.